CDC Safety & Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which respiratory protection device is required when grinding or polishing dental ceramics to prevent silica dust inhalation?
- Surgical mask
- N95 respirator (Correct answer)
- Face shield only
- Cloth mask
Correct answer: N95 respirator
An N95 respirator filters at least 95% of airborne particles including fine silica and ceramic dust generated during grinding.
Question 2: What is the recommended method for handling sharp ceramic fragments in the dental lab to prevent injury?
- Use bare hands for better control
- Use forceps or tongs rather than fingers (Correct answer)
- Wrap in tissue before handling
- Sweep into trash immediately
Correct answer: Use forceps or tongs rather than fingers
Forceps or tongs should be used to handle sharp ceramic fragments to avoid lacerations and potential exposure to biohazardous material.
Question 3: How should contaminated dental impressions and restorations be decontaminated before entering the dental laboratory?
- Rinse with cold water only
- Disinfect with an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant at chairside (Correct answer)
- Place directly in sealed bags without treatment
- Soak in bleach for 24 hours
Correct answer: Disinfect with an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant at chairside
The ADA and CDC recommend that all laboratory items be disinfected chairside with an EPA-registered disinfectant before transport to the dental lab.
Question 4: Which of the following is the correct order of donning personal protective equipment (PPE) in the dental laboratory?
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
- Eye protection, gown, gloves, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
The correct donning sequence is gown first, then mask or respirator, then eye protection, and finally gloves to maintain contamination control.
Question 5: What type of ventilation system is most effective for controlling airborne ceramic dust in a dental laboratory?
- Ceiling fans only
- Local exhaust ventilation at the point of dust generation (Correct answer)
- Open windows for natural airflow
- Central air conditioning without filtration
Correct answer: Local exhaust ventilation at the point of dust generation
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) captures dust directly at the source, providing superior protection compared to dilution ventilation methods.
Question 6: Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, dental laboratory technicians are categorized in which occupational exposure risk category?
- No occupational exposure
- Reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or OPIM (Correct answer)
- Administrative exposure only
- Chemical exposure only
Correct answer: Reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or OPIM
Dental lab technicians have reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) via contaminated prostheses and impressions.
Question 7: What is the appropriate action if a dental ceramist sustains a needlestick or sharps injury during lab work?
- Apply a bandage and continue working
- Immediately wash the wound, report to supervisor, and seek medical evaluation (Correct answer)
- Rinse with mouthwash and monitor for symptoms
- Document the incident only at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Immediately wash the wound, report to supervisor, and seek medical evaluation
Immediate washing, prompt reporting, and medical evaluation are required under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard following exposure incidents.
CDC Safety & Infection Control 2
Which respiratory protection device is required when grinding or polishing dental ceramics to prevent silica dust inhalation?